Genetic Terminations of Fetus in Labour and Delivery as a Student

[bint_adam]

Hi everyone,

I'm preceptoring on a labour and delivery unit and I absolutely love it! The only part of it that I am uncomfortable with is the procedural part of conducting ive terminations of the fetus. Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely comfortable with caring for women who have terminated their baby in the uterus and would like the baby to be delivered. I'm also okay with terminating live babies under20 weeks due to moral and religious reasons (hard to explain this one but I am passionate about it)

I love the unit and would love to work there. I plan to talk to the unit manager about job opportunities but I am worried about bringing up the topic of termination anf my beliefs (as described above). Should I go forward with interviewing for a position considering the manager is of the perception that I am okay with all types of termination? I feel caught between a rock and a hard place. I recognize that as a new grad the only place I'll likely get hired is the unit I preceptored on.

[JacquelineJax]

I'm going to start this by saying it is valuable you recognize where your personal comfort/moral awareness rests. However, there are going to be patients from all walks of life, and have reasons behind the actions they choose. We, as nurses, may not believe in the actions that our patients choose, but are there to support and treat them to the best of our abilities.

Being a part of a labour and delivery ward means not only seeing the most happy part of life, but also experiencing the hard decisions that patients have to make. I think that you would not always be able to switch patients/choose your patients/choose which procedures to perform.

You may wish to bring your struggles up with your instructor.

You may wish to explore different floors in the future.

You may wish to explore why this is a challenge for you.

You may wish to discuss with your manager the options you have.

You may wish to research maternity or labour delivery career options that involves skills you would feel comfortable performing.

This is a decision only you can make.

At the end of the day, this has been a great learning experience for you before you start your career.